More than 2,000 flights were canceled across the country Friday, as snow battered the Midwest and the South and Northeast braced for severe weather of their own.
The Midwest and Great Lakes face blizzard warnings on Friday.
Single lanes move east and west on the 235 John MacVicar Freeway as Winter Storm Jerry dumps inches of snow with high winds on January 12, 2024 in Des Moines, Iowa.
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Men shovel snow from a sidewalk in Ankeny, Iowa, on January 12, 2024.
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Whiteout conditions, heavy snow, winds up to 50 mph and low visibility will continue through Friday night's rush hour from Iowa to the Great Lakes, including Chicago.
Days before the Iowa caucuses on Monday, the National Weather Service in Des Moines is urging drivers to stay off the roads.
The weather also hampered travel by land and air in Illinois.
A ground stop was issued at Chicago O'Hare International Airport for part of Friday morning due to snow and ice.
Chicago O'Hare Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport see the highest number of cancellations in the United States
Snowfall of 6 to 12 inches is expected in the Midwest through Saturday.
In the South, severe storms will continue from Atlanta to Raleigh, North Carolina, on Friday evening.
Damaging winds and possible tornadoes are expected across the South.
There is still a serious threat tonight for Florida, Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas.
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The storm will move to the northeast overnight, bringing up to 2 inches of rain and winds of up to 40 mph to Washington, D.C., New York City and Boston.
Rivers are still swollen in the North East from recent rainfall, so heavy rainfall will only prolong flooding problems. The Passaic River in New Jersey peaked Thursday evening at major flood stage. Flash flooding, river flooding and coastal flooding are possible this weekend across the Northeast.
Flash flooding, river flooding and coastal flooding will be possible this weekend across the Northeast.
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Moving behind the storm is a large Arctic blast that will bring frigid temperatures to millions this weekend and early next week.
As of Saturday morning, wind chill temperatures could drop to minus 60 degrees in Montana and minus 40 degrees in the central and northern Plains.
In Kansas City on Saturday, when the Chiefs host the Miami Dolphins, the wind chill is expected to reach 23 degrees below zero.
In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul warned of “blizzard-like conditions that could be dangerous and life-threatening” along Lake Erie and Lake Ontario on Saturday evening and Sunday.
The governor said some areas could have up to a foot of thickness and residents should prepare for freezing temperatures and possible power outages.
Before Sunday's playoff game, Hochul urged Buffalo Bills fans to “enjoy the game from home,” adding, “However, if they plan to attend the game, they should travel with extreme caution.”
On Monday, the temperature will be bone-chilling across the Plains and Midwest. During the Iowa caucuses on Monday, wind chills will reach 25 degrees below zero.
There is also a possibility of snow and ice in the South, from Texas to Tennessee, on Sunday and Monday.
